How do you feel about 3e's art style?

[Dark Jezter]

In the "Should the Iconics die" thread, the subject has recently switched to 3rd Edition's artwork in comparison to the artwork of previous editions. So, now's your chance to vote on your feelings regarding 3e artwork.

 

[JeffB]

I dislike the vast majority of the current art..EDIT: (and it's getting worse every year, AFAIC)

There are a few really good pieces...some that come to mind are Sam Wood's Goblin in the MM, and Todd Lockwoods Mind Flayer...

I suspect the only 3E artist I like on a fairly consistent basis would be Wayne Reynolds...

It's not so much that the new artists are not technically proficient..they are excellent artists...just the style annoys me to no end...spikes..straps...goofy hair...computer colored etc...

I'll take Jeff Dee, Bill Willingham, Jim Roslof, Erol Otus, and Dave Trampier anyday of the week

 

[Belen]

The only 3e art I have consistantly enjoyed was Fantasy Flight art from their Legends and Lairs series.

Quint Bard also has some good stuff.

Otherwise, I do not like it. At all.

 

[Dark Jezter]

I voted that 3e's artwork is easily the best out of any edition. Sam Wood, Todd Lockwood, and Wayne Reynolds have all blown me away with their illustrations. Unique styles, technical brilliance, interesting character designs, and no slavish devotion to the generic Medieval Europe style that plagued previous editions.

My jaw still hits the floor every time I see Wayne Reynold's illustration of the orcs charging the dwarf phalanx in Complete Warrior, or Todd Lockwood's Bar Fight picture.

 

[MonsterMash]

I'm not keen on the 3e artwork in the WotC products, but because I came in with OD&D that eras artwork still speaks to me. With new products I like Mongoose's Conan stuff, Necromancer Games, and Goodman Games.

Frazetta and Barry Windsor-Smith for artists.

 

[Akrasia]

... It's not so much that the new artists are not technically proficient..they are excellent artists...just the style annoys me to no end...spikes..straps...goofy hair...computer colored etc...

I'll take Jeff Dee, Bill Willingham, Jim Roslof, Erol Otus, and Dave Trampier anyday of the week

Truly you are a person with a refined aesthetic sensibility! I agree with you 98 percent (I'm a bit iffy on Roslof).

I was going to write something long-ish, but I have already ranted about this enough in my "Kill the Iconics" poll/thread.

Except to say: the main problem with the current art in the DnD books is the lack of variety.

And to mention (again) that Monte Cook, or someone 'of his sort', stated somewhere that there were plans (or proto-plans) to print different versions of the core books in subsequent years. The content would be the same, but each version would have a different "art-style". That would have been interesting. A pity WotC didn't try it (though at least we were saved from a set of Anime/Manga-style books).

 

[diaglo]

it sucks worse than the 2000ed bard.

 

[Dextolen]

I think some of you need to go look at your old books again. The new artwork is, for the most part, a great improvement. There's a lot of good memories backing up your fondness for the old art, granted, but the production values (full color, etc) and the variety are wonderful.

 

[Henry]

I'll be honest, I didn't like Wayne Reynolds' work until I saw the Eberron Campaign Setting cover. That cover inspires frenetic action!

Overall, I don't mind the PHB/DMG/MM artwork, but I can't say I like it a lot, either. It just leaves me neutral. I'm more of an Easley/Caldwell/Elmore man, myself.

 

[Psion]

I think some of you need to go look at your old books again. The new artwork is, for the most part, a great improvement. There's a lot of good memories backing up your fondness for the old art, granted, but the production values (full color, etc) and the variety are wonderful.

Indeed. Reynolds. Lockwood. Sam Wood. Many great arsits.

Don't care for the likes of Cramer and Roach, though.